FILE – In this Nov. 17, 2011, file photo, Dallas Police Chief David Brown speaks during a news conference at police headquarters in Dallas. Dallas police say one or more suspects opened fire on police headquarters early Saturday morning, June 13, 2015, rammed a police car and fled to a fast food restaurant just off interstate 45 outside the city where they are engaged in a standoff with police. Police Chief Brown tells a news conference that preliminary witness statements suggest there may have been other assailants firing from elevated locations. AP
DALLAS — Several men toting automatic weapons opened fire on officers outside Dallas Police headquarters early Saturday morning before one suspect fled in what witnesses described as an armored van and was chased by police, Dallas Police Chief David Brown said.
Police said no motive for the shooting has been established and conflicting witness accounts made it difficult to determine how many shooters were involved.
Brown told a news conference that the shootout began about 12:30 a.m. Saturday, when the suspects parked in front of the building and began firing. He said at least one suspect fled the scene in a van that rammed a police cruiser before leading police on a chase that ended in an ongoing standoff at parking lot in Hutchins, where more gunfire was exchanged.
Brown said the suspect driving the van has told officers that he blames police for losing custody of his son and “accusing him of being a terrorist.” The gunman also said he had explosives in the van, which appeared to be outfitted with gun ports in the sides.
No injuries were reported.
Based on witness accounts, Brown said as many as four suspects may have been involved in the original shooting, including some who may have been strategically positioned at elevated positions. Police could not immediately confirm how many shooters were involved and where any additional suspects may be located.
Brown said police also found four bags outside police headquarters, including one that held a pipe bomb that later exploded. Police were evacuating nearby residents as a precaution, he said.